Jetstar Develops Asian Links from Darwin

Posted 11/01/2012

Australian low-fare carrier Jetstar Airways is to launch a four times weekly service from Darwin to Tokyo via Manila, from March 25, 2012, subject to regulatory approval.  The airline will also boost frequencies between Darwin and Singapore from seven to ten a week from the same date, although flights from Darwin to Ho Chi Minh City will be terminated to facilitate the network growth: services to Vietnam will be maintained via Singapore through sister carrier Jetstar Asia’s four times weekly service between Singapore and Hanoi which launched on December 15, 2011.

The new flight to Tokyo has been added to stimulate stronger tourism and business links between Northern Territory and Asia.  The airline will be the first to serve the Japanese capital from Darwin, although the Manila – Tokyo sector is already served on a daily basis by All Nippon Airways (ANA), Delta Air Lines (as extension of its US originating flights) and Philippine Airlines, while Japan Airlines (JAL ) has a double daily offering.  With the use of widebodied equipment on all flights these provide more than 10,000 seats per week in each direction.

Jetstar already serves the Darwin – Manila route on a three times weekly basis, carrying an estimated 19,000 O&D passengers in the past year, so this sector will also see an increase in capacity through the network changes. 

“We know that the more sustainably low fares we put in the market, the more people are inclined to travel.  When we combine low fares with a growing footprint across Asia, the potential for increased tourism and trade really takes off,” explained Bruce Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, Jetstar Group.

The increased frequency of the Darwin – Singapore route will enhance connectivity options across Asia from Darwin to such destinations as Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, while the new Tokyo service will link to the new Jetstar Japan network.  Japan is the fourth largest international inbound tourism market for the Territory, with 28,000 visitors contributing around $27 million annually, according to official data.

Meanwhile, Jetstar Asia, the group’s Singapore-based venture, is to expand its offering in Japan and Taiwan by introducing a second daily rotation on the Singapore – Taipei Taoyuan – Osaka Kansai route from March 25, 2012.  The flights will be operated using an Airbus A320 and will provide better flight options for passengers between the three cities.

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